Tuesday, December 20, 2011

We had four wonderful new missionaries come to our mission tonight. Elder O'Hara (Arizona), Elder Kuwahara (Fukushima), Elder Finlinson (Utah), and Elder Shimohara (Utah). They did great on their first night! We are excited to watch them grow throughout their mission!

The missionaries rode the train to the mission home sharing the gospel all the way! They all did great! They were willing to open their mouths and share their testimony with everyone!

Stopped for a quick picture inside the Nagoya Eki underneath the Golden Clock.

Elder Finlinson (left) and Elder Eckman- Takabata

Elder Alexander Finlinson comes to us from Oak City, Utah. He is the third child in a family of four. Elder Finlinson enjoys reading, hanging out with his cousins, and "table top role playing, because you can do whatever you want."

Elder Eckman is very well-read. He is very smart and a good teacher.

Elder Shimohara (left) and Elder Tsutamori- Nonami

Elder Samuel Shimohara’s parents converted before he was born, so he grew up in the church. He lives in Torrance, California. He hopes, when he gets home, to spend a few days listening to General Conference talks and making a plan for the rest of his life. It will most likely involve getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Elder Tsutamori loves many sports and has already studied engineering in college. He is good at listening to others and pondering deeply. Elder Tsutamori is from Hokkaido, Japan.

Elder Kuwahara (left) and Elder Ogaki- Ichinomiya
Elder
Sei Kuwahara is from Kawahuma, Fukushima, Japan. He enjoys fixing motor bikes, fishing,
skiing, photography and rowing. His
dream is to have a happy family.

Elder Ogaki loves sports, music and talking with people. He has a zest for life. He has good English and plays piano.

Elder O'Hara (left) and Elder Gottfredson- Kanazawa

Elder Andrew O'Hara is a Mesa, Arizona native. His mother is a convert to the Church, as a result of ekaiwa classes. She also served a mission in Nagoya. His father is also a convert and served in Bolivia. Elder O'Hara loves to draw, wrestle, read, run, listen to music and be with friends. His goal after his mission is to become a chiropractor and help people feel better. He could also enjoy being a cartoonist.

Elder Gottfredson likes music. He plans to minor in music and major in something that
will provide a living. He makes friends easily, and sees being a bit prideful
as a strength and a weakness.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Tonight, we said good-bye to six great missionaries. Sister Tsukino, Elder Kekauoha, Elder Sorensen, Elder Jackson, Elder Carr, and Elder Santin. We love them so very much and miss them a lot! They have been a great blessing to this mission!

Sister
Nozomi Tsukino's mother is a convert to the Church and served a mission. She is strong in her faith and a wonderful
example. She loves to sing and has
performed at missionary firesides. She
also love to cook. She would love to
learn English, Korean and sign language better, and even learn more
languages. She is positive and
optimistic. Most of her baby blessing
was about her serving a mission, and she has a strong testimony.

Elder
George Kekauoha had this said of him: "He is a very relaxed Hawaian who knows when to work hard and when to have fun."

Elder
Luke Sorenson is from Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan, but he is also a US
citizen. He has a huge extended family
cheering him on. He likes biology and learning other languages. He likes to keep things clean and to
cook. Returned missionairies have
inspired him to serve because they were polite, kindhearted, responsible and
had direction in their lives.

Elder
Marcus Jackson, says one missionary who served with him, is very funny, smart, and speaks English and Japanese fluently. Before his mission, Elder Jackson loved to go to the temple.

Elder
Michael Carr is from Heber, Utah and he loves music and art. He plays several instruments. He also enjoys computers and new
technology. He wants to learn as much as he can and then find a job that will
help him continue to expand his knowledge.
He is a good listener, is obedient and respectful.

Home for
Elder Adriano Santin is Sao Paulo, Brazil.
His mother is from Japan. His talent is math and numbers, and he's
very good at memorizing. He enjoys
reading, good movies, and spending time with his family. He doesn't take things personally or get
mad at people.

From left: Sister Tsukino, Sister Baird, President Baird and in
front of him, Elder Kekauoha, then from back clockwise,
Elder Carr, Elder Santin, Elder Jackson, and Elder Sorenson.

One last picture before departure of the December Finishers!

Many members from Fukutoku Ward gathered together at the Komaki Airport to surprise Sister Tsukino and say good-bye one last time. It was very touching to see the support of these strong Japanese members!

About Me

Family Theme
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, and we have endured many things, and hope to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report of praiseworthy, we seek after these things. -13th Article of Faith